Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Think hidden gems, insider stories, and all the local vibes. Ready to find your private tour of Kyoto? Your adventure-packed day is just one click away!
Top 10 tours in Kyoto
Make your stay in Kyoto complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
The 10 Tastings of Kyoto: Street Food
144 reviews
3 hours | Food tours | Kyoto
Ready to taste the best food in Kyoto? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Kyoto.
Welcome to Kyoto! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Kyoto to start your city trip on the right foot.
Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Kyoto, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Kyoto.
Enjoy the freedom of exploring Kyoto on a bike tour with a local. Cover more ground, take scenic routes, and cycle through main spots like the Philosopher's path and Gion Area. Take in the views as you bike through the city in a safe and fun way, and hear fascinating stories at every stop along the way!
Want to see the best of Kyoto? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Kyoto!
You’ve probably heard that Kyoto is well-known for its Geishas and Traditions, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this private city tour, you are in for a cultural treat!
Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Kyoto have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Nara and be back in Kyoto the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.
Imagine this: a scenic road trip from Kyoto to explore Arashiyama with stops along the way to discover viewpoints, villages, incredible nature, and cultural gems. Sounds like a dream? No, it’s possible on a Withlocals day trip with a local host leading the way!
Did you know that the Kyoto tour of your dreams exists? Yes, and it’s 100% personalized and created by your local host around your interests. Customize and see only the places that spark your interest. From classic landmarks to neighborhood walks - your wishes are our command!
Discover Kyoto in an active and immersive way! On this 3.5-hour e-bike tour, you’ll explore serene temples, scenic rivers, historic streets, and vibrant cultural districts—all while enjoying the freedom of cycling through this beautiful city.
"Eiji was a delightful guide and very easy to work with. He shifted course for us when the crowds became too much for our taste. Gave us nice insight into Kyoto life."
"My teenage son and I had an 8 hour day with Guia exploring Kyoto yesterday and it was everything I hoped it would be! Guia is an exceptional guide - warm, friendly, knowledgeable and easily adapted the day to best suit us. It was such a relief to be able to relax and let her guide us, knowing we were in such safe hands. It really felt like being shown around by a friend - who knew her stuff! Thank you Guia we really appreciated you going that extra mile for us and also sharing your stories - really special!❤️"
"We booked the street food tour with Guia and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Kyoto. Before our travels I reached out to her a few times with questions and she was always very prompt and helpful. When we met her in person, we immediately felt comfortable…like we were meeting a friend that was showing us the town! She has a great, relaxed and cheerful personality and took us to some hidden gems that we would not have found on our own. It wasn’t a “one size fits all” tour. She completely customized stops based on what we were in the mood for. Highly recommend this tour with Guia."
"Eiji was interesting, engaging and a super photographer. He is a very easygoing person to be with as well as being flexible with the elements of the tour - we chose the three hour Highlights and Hidden Gems. He showed us details which we would definitely not have noticed on our own and explained everything very well. Not only did we have a lovely time with him, learning on the way, he also took lots of photographs which he sent on later giving us the perfect memories of the day. Domo arigato, Eiji!"
"My son and I had a wonderful tour with Eiji. He showed us beautiful places is Kyoto that we wouldn’t have found on our own, and had great suggestions for off the beaten path things to do. "
"We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Ryuki. From the moment we met him, he was warm, gracious, and genuinely attentive to what we wanted from the day. He’s clearly a very hard worker and went above and beyond to give us a perfectly paced “expedited” tour that still managed to feel relaxed and comprehensive, never rushed.
He also has a great eye for fun and flattering photos — he suggested creative angles and poses, handled all the logistics, and captured memories we never would have gotten on our own. Throughout the tour, he was patient, kind, and easy to talk to, which made the entire experience feel effortless and enjoyable.
We would highly recommend Ryuki to anyone looking for a personable, professional guide who truly cares about his guests and their experience."
"We had an incredible walking tour through Kyoto with our guide, Tiro. He delivered the perfect mix of education, insight, and entertainment—turning the day into a truly engaging experience. Tiro highlighted all the major sites with fun, thoughtful anecdotes that brought Kyoto’s history and culture to life.
What made the tour even more special was his willingness to take us off the typical tourist paths. Those moments in quieter, lesser-known areas gave us a more authentic perspective of this stunning city.
We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommended!"
"We had a wonderful time with Eiji! It was our first full day in Kyoto (and Japan for that matter) and he took us under his wing. Nishiki Market seemed overwhelming but with Eiji's guidance and expertise, we felt comfortable and excited to try a wide range of delicious food! He introduced us sansho pepper and we're all hooked. He guided us through Gion and took so many pictures of us throughout the night! He caught a lot of candid moments which will forever be great memories for us. Thank you, Eiji! "
"Our tour with Eiji was a wonderful start to our time in Kyoto. He adjusted the route so we wouldn't overlap with another tour we had booked and brought us to some quiet spots as requested. We had a lovely time touring the side streets and gardens and learned so much! Plus he recommended a delicious lunch option plus sent a list of other recommendations. He was friendly and patient and a joy to spend the morning with."
"We had a wonderful engaging day with Simon. His vivid stories brought Japanese customs and history to life. His passion mixed with humour and questions for us, kept our fascination and curiosity going overtime. We really appreciated the engaging conversations we had about current Japanese life. You will find more gems from Simone than any guide book! "
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
Tailored to your wishes
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
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Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
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Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
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Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
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Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Private & Personal
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
Private & Personalized Tours in Kyoto with a Local
When you hit the road and land in a new city like Kyoto, there's an exciting way to dive into its soul: personalized local tours. Forget the typical touristy routes – these tours are like having a local friend show you around all the cool spots.
Imagine having someone who lives and breathes Kyoto spill its secrets. That's what local guides bring to the table. They know the hidden alleys, the best bites, and stories that never made it to the guidebooks. Whether you're into munching through food tours, wandering the city's streets, or going off the beaten path, a local guide hooks you up with a private tour that's authentically Kyoto.
The best part? These tours are all about you. No herding in big groups or rushing through places you're not interested in. With private tours, you're the boss. Whether it's snapping pics at iconic landmarks, diving into history, or checking out the art scene, the tour is tuned to your vibes at your tempo.
But it doesn't stop at city limits. Day trips let you escape the urban jungle and explore nearby wonders. And if you're just setting foot in Kyoto, kickstart tours give you a taste of everything. Think of it as a crash course in Kyoto awesomeness, guided by a local who knows the city like the back of their hand.
So, next time you're in Kyoto, ditch the ordinary. Grab a local tour and unlock the city's real magic – the stories, flavors, and places that make it uniquely Kyoto. Get ready to explore like a local!
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
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